IN VITRO SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ISOLATED SHIGELLA FLEXNERI AND SHIGELLA DYSENTERIAE TO THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF TRACHYSPERMUM AMMI AND PEGANUM HARMALA Original Article IBRAHIM SIDDIG HAMID 1 , IKRAM MOHAMED ELTAYEB University of medical sciences and technology (UMST) Email: kramela_07@yahoo.com 1* Received: 29 Aug 2018 Revised and Accepted: 04 Dec 2018 ABSTRACT Objective: This study represents the first attempt to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Peganum harmala, and Trachyspermum ammi seeds extract against the isolated bacillary dysentery-causing microorganisms. Methods: T. ammi and P. harmala were extracted by 96% ethanol using Soxhlet apparatus. The extracts were screened for their phytochemical constituents. Their antimicrobial activity against the isolated dysentery-causing microorganisms was evaluated using the agar diffusion method. Results: The antimicrobial activity result showed that, the two isolated bacteria, Shigella flexneri, and Shigella dysenteriae were found to be sensitive to the extract of T. ammi seed with inhibition zones up to 25 mm, compared to the inhibition zone of 20 mm produced by Gentamycin standard drug, this is mainly due to the presence of the different phytochemical in the extract such as tannin, flavonoids, terpenoids which are well known for their antimicrobial effects. The two isolated bacteria were found to be insensitive (zero mm) to P. harmala extract, Amoxicillin, and Amoclan (Amoxicillin+clavulanic acid) standard drugs, this is due to the fact that, the phytochemicals constituents of P. harmala possess the antagonistic effect to each other’s. Addition to; these bacteria became resistant to both Amoxicillin and Amoclan. Conclusion: From the results it concludes, T. ammi seeds extract had a considerable level of antimicrobial activity against bacillary dysentery- causing microorganisms resistant to Amoxicillin and Amoxicillin+clavulanic acid drugs. Keywords: Trachyspermu, ammi, Peganum, Harmala, Shigella, Flexneri, Dysenetry © 2019 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open-access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2019v11i1.29411 INTRODUCTION The medicinal plants are very important to the health of individuals and communities worldwide; this is mainly due to that, most of the drugs derived from herbs are free of side effects or reactions [1, 2]. The herbs have medicinal quality provide rational means for the treatment of many diseases, which are considered of difficult cure [3]. In Sudan the mixtures of Peganum harmala and Trachyspermum ammi seeds are traditionally used for the treatment of bacillary dysentery. Trachyspermum ammi commonly known as Ajwain is a very valued medicinally plant belongs to Apiaceae family. It is an abundantly branched annual herb [4]. It used traditionally for treatment of gastrointestinal ailments, lack of appetite and bronchial problems [5] as well used as antiseptic, antipyretic, febrifugal and in the treatment of typhoid fever [6, 7] as antimicrobial agent [8], digestive stimulant [9], antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, antispasmodic, broncho-dilating [10], antilithiasis, diuretic [11], abortifacient [12], galactogogic [13], antiplatelet-aggregatory [14], anti-inflammatory [15], antitussive [16], antimalarial [17], gestro- protective [18], anthelmintic [19], detoxification of aflatoxins [20], and ameliorative effects [21]. Peganum harmala belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae is a perennial plant growing up to 0.8m [22] has been reported to have an antibacterial activity [23], an abortifacient [24], and in large quantities, it can reduce spermatogenesis and male fertility in rats [25]. It also used to treat depression, recurring fevers [26], kill algae, bacteria, intestinal parasites and molds [27]. Its endogenous alkaloids have been proven to be involved in Parkinson's disease [28]. Bacillary dysentery, which is caused by invasive bacteria mainly by one or more types of Shigella species such as Shigella dysenteri and shigella flexneri [29] is mainly found in hot countries like Sudan. Poor hygiene and sanitation increase incidence of dysentery by spreading microorganism causing it through food and water which are contaminated by human feces [30]. Bacillary dysentery symptoms include sudden onset of high fever and chills, abdominal pain, cramps and bloating, the urgency to pass stool, weight loss, and dehydration. The symptoms start within 2 to 10 d, and if left untreated it can lead to serious complications include delirium, convulsions, and coma. A serious infection can be fatal within 24 h [31]. is The principal aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Peganum harmala and Trachyspermum ammi seeds extracts against isolated Shigella flexneri and Shigella dysenteriae, bacillary dysentery-causing microorganism (Shigellosis) whereas these microorganisms are becoming resistant to antimicrobial drugs, addition too many side effects caused by synthetic drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant material collection and preparation Dried seeds of P. harmala and T. ammi were collected from the botanical garden at Omdurman area, Sudan, and authenticated by taxonomist at the Department of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research in the Sudan National Research Center. The voucher specimens identified as IBRAHIM (3), December-2017) and; IBRAHIM (4), December-2017 were deposited at the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medical Science and Technology. Preparation of P. harmala and T. ammi extracts The coarsely powdered seeds of P. harmala and T. ammi were extracted with 96% ethanol using Soxhlet extractor apparatus. Extraction was carried for six to eight hours till the color of solvent at the last siphoning time returned colorless. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator apparatus, then the extracts were complete dryness, and the percentage yields were calculated. The extracts stored at 4 °C for further investigation. Phytochemical screening test The phytochemical constituents of the extracts were detected using the standard procedure as described by Trease and Evans [32] and Sofowora [33]. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN- 0975-1491 Vol 11, Issue 1, 2019